Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is undertaking renovations to six homes located in several western Newfoundland communities.
“I’m pleased that we consistently are able to improve our properties and offer safe and affordable housing options to those in greatest need,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for NLHC. “Through an investment of $132,000 this year, families living in these homes are benefiting from our government’s ongoing commitment to modernize and improve social housing throughout the province.”
Three renovation contracts valued at $132,000 will be completed by St. George’s Excavation Ltd., Whitestone Developments Ltd. and Paddy’s Plumbing and Heating. The work includes construction of a new foundation for one home in St. George’s and the installation of electric furnaces in place of older oil furnaces at five units in Stephenville, Ship Cove, Point au Mal and Jeffrey’s.
“Each upgrade is an important investment that underpins the Provincial Government’s commitment to providing a suitable supply of social housing throughout the province,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for St. George’s-Stephenville East. “It is also a commitment to our most vulnerable citizens.”
Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future provides $10 million through the Modernization and Improvement Program for renovations and upgrades to NLHC social housing.
“It is always great to see such investments in social housing in the region,” said Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port. “Each improvement directly improves the quality of life for tenants and shows our government’s awareness of the needs of families with low incomes.”
Since 2003, the NLHC has invested approximately $105 million to modernize and improve over 70 per cent of its social housing dwellings in Newfoundland and Labrador.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Tess Burke
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-3551, 699-2402
TessBurke@gov.nl.ca
Janine Carter
Constituency Assistant
to Hon. Joan Shea, MHA for
St. George’s-Stephenville East
709-643-8663
janinecarter@gov.nl.ca
Through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), the Provincial Government continues to support the modernization and improvement of social housing with recent upgrades providing new kitchen cabinets for 32 homes on the west coast.
“To date, we have modernized and improved approximately 75 per cent of our 5,573 rental units throughout the province, many of which have received substantial exterior and interior work,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for NLHC. “This investment of $227,000 for interior upgrades in three west coast communities further improves the quality of life for our tenants.”
New kitchen cabinets have been recently installed in 20 units on Queen and Brook Streets in Stephenville, six units in Juniper Place, Corner Brook and six units on Bay Street in Channel-Port aux Basques.
“I am pleased to see these interior renovations completed and our government’s ongoing commitment to improve social housing for those with the greatest need in our community,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for St. George’s – Stephenville East. “These kitchen renovations will improve the quality of living enjoyed by the individuals and families living on Queen and Brook Streets.”
Since 2003, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $105 million in the annual Modernization and Improvement Program to upgrade social housing properties, province-wide.
“The work on Juniper Place supports the ongoing revitalization of the Crestview Avenue neighbourhood of Corner Brook,” said Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West. “I am pleased to see ongoing improvements to social housing in the area and the progress made in just a few short years.”
Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future provides $10 million for NLHC’s Modernization and Improvement Program.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Tess Burke
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-3551, 699-2402
TessBurke@gov.nl.ca
Janine Carter
Constituency Assistant to the
Honourable Joan Shea
MHA for St. George’s – Stephenville East
709-643-8663
janinecarter@gov.nl.ca
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:
Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to congratulate Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) and its Chairman and CEO, Len Simms, who was honoured today in Ottawa with the 2013 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Award.
Sponsored by CMHC and presented by the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association at its annual congress, the award recognizes outstanding leadership and contributions to affordable housing.
Since joining NLHC in 2005, Len Simms has proven his unique ability to connect with the community and support projects that provide affordable housing options for those in greatest need while working to alleviate homelessness.
Mr. Speaker, under his leadership, NLHC has modernized and improved 75 per cent of its current social housing dwellings throughout the province. Mr. Simms also advocated for, and facilitated increased funding for, numerous other housing programs such as the Rent Supplement Program, which now provides over 1,700 subsidized rental housing units in the private sector.
With help from Mr. Simms, funding for the Supportive Living Program quadrupled from $1.2 million to $4.8 million to create housing supports for persons with complex needs. He has also advocated for a $750,000 investment in the Train for Trades Program administered by Choices for Youth, which provides opportunities for youth to gain skills and confidence to pursue careers in the trades and other educational and career opportunities, to name just a few of his many achievements.
Mr. Speaker, whether he’s visiting with tenants, meeting with non-profit or private sector affordable housing developers, flipping pancakes at homelessness fundraisers, or sleeping under the stars with youth homelessness advocates, Mr. Simms keeps his finger on the pulse of social housing needs throughout our province.
It is clear that he has a deep personal commitment to helping ensure those most vulnerable have a safe and affordable place to call home. Through his guidance and leadership NLHC has and will continue to break new ground and increase affordable housing options for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation CEO Mr. Len Simms on receiving the 2013 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Award.